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Breast Cancer rate on the rise!!!
Worldwide report indicates that Breast cancer is one of the diseases that is causing alarming mortalities with an estimate of over 2.3 million cases recorded globally in the year 2020 (WHO).
Research has shown that Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women. Although men also get affected with the disease – it’s estimated that one per cent of cases recorded worldwide (WHO) were reported by males.
It has also been estimated that over 685,000 women died from Breast Cancer in the year 2020 (WHO). Additional statistical report has revealed that, at the end of the year 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.
While breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed countries, they have lower mortality rates due to the fact that Breast Cancer cases are detected in the early stages and immediately holistic treatment is given with effective continuity of care even to the involvement of a psychologist (good support system) which is very much key.
However, in low and middle-income countries like Ghana, breast cancer mortality rates are significantly higher though the prevalence is lower as compared to the developed countries.
The reason for the soaring mortalities of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa specifically Ghana, is partly associated with people’s erroneous beliefs of the disease. Other significant factors such as cost of treatment, accessibility to screening machines, irregular education and publicity of the disease are issues which need to be addressed immediately.
Unfortunately, about 60-70 per cent patients seek for medical attention at the very late stage of the disease where little or nothing can be done for them. Sadly, this is one of the factors that is causing defeat in our quest to reduce deaths amongst breast cancer patients.
Narrowing the discourse to our immediate environment Ghana specifically, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, our main referral centre has the following statistics on Breast Cancer cases.
In the year 2018, 400 new cases were recorded. Out of that, 2.4 per cent were found to be males while the remaining 97.6 per cent were females. Also, out of 2,260 cumulative cases studied over five years, 1,021 people died from the disease.
Isn’t it sad that, just within five years, more than 1,000 souls perished because they probably failed to seek for medical attention at the early stage of their sickness?
Or possibly, they were not self-aware of what was happening to them?
Hitherto, the age group that was mostly affected was between 40 and 49 years.
Surprisingly the age bracket keeps reducing gradually with incidences occurring between 25 and 29 years due to adaptation of the western and sedentary lifestyle.
Breast Cancer as we all know has no known cause but there are risk factors that can precipitate it.
Sex: The fact that one is a female automatically puts you at risk of Breast Cancer because women have more breast tissue than men do, hence the increased risk of getting breast cancer.
Age: Usually women above 45 years are prone to Breast Cancer but now the age bracket is reducing. Now, there are records of Breast Cancer patients between the ages of 25 and 29 as a result of westernisation in terms of diet and sedentary lifestyle
Exposure to Estrogen Hormone: Early menarche (first occurrence of menstruation) latemenopause, nulliparity (when a woman has never given birth to a child, or has never carried a pregnancy) and giving birth after age 30.
All of the above situations cause increased exposure to estrogen hormone which can cause Breast Cancer.
Family History: When one’s aunt, mother, sister, grandmother has had Breast Cancer, it puts one at a risk of getting the disease. However, recent medical investigations posit that, it is when a first-degree family member gets the disease, that can put one at a risk.
Interestingly, it has also been discovered that when any primary male relative, has been diagnosed with even prostate cancer, it can put you at risk of getting Breast Cancer.
Hence, the need to be keen with regular screening, visiting women wellness clinics, and the need to conduct personalise routine breast examination, etc.
Also, increased fatty diet, obesity, alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise; these are but some of the known risk factors that can precipitate Breast Cancer.
Nonetheless, there are many ways to reduce the incidence of an individual getting breast cancer.
Keep your weight in check, by being physically active and undertaking regular exercises.
It’s also important to incorporate fruits and vegetables in your diet.
At risk persons should avoid the following: Alcohol (Zero is Best), forsake smoking, avoid birth control pills, particularly after age 35 or if you smoke. Almost every woman is at risk of getting Breast Cancer hence the need to adopt the best lifestyle as a preventative measure.
Breast feeding is also another sure way to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer as a woman. Hence women are encouraged to breastfeed their infants, especially working-class mothers. There is this notion that breast feeding is old fashioned. Sadly, some women now resort to formula feeding for their infants which they think is fashionable and trendy.
Now, let’s consider Breast Cancer myths. Myths are misbeliefs or false ideas, so breast cancer myths are false beliefs that people have concerning breast cancer. In our Ghanaian society, people have the mindset that breast cancer is a “cursed” disease. The unfortunate belief is that, a person may have offended the gods, hence the repercussion of their actions.
Again, there is a belief of witches “buying” the sickness in the spiritual realm to infect innocent people. Due to this notion, most people seek spiritual help than going for medical treatment.
Hence, 70 per cent of cases recorded at Korle-Bu report at very late stages due to social stigma of this disease leaving little or nothing to be done for the patient except palliative care.
Other myths concerning breast cancer are wearing a brassiere can cause Breast Cancer. The usage of underarm antiperspirant, carrying your cell phone in your brassiere and many others are sheerly make beliefs that are clearly untrue.
In light of these misconception and superstitious beliefs, Breast Cancer awareness creation remains one of the effective ways to educate and screen people against possible Breasts Cancer.
October is the month set aside worldwide for breast cancer awareness celebration termed Pink October. This pink month celebration is catching on well with Ghanaians. The good news is that, many organisations have sprung up the quest to fight this vile disease called Breast Cancer.
One of such is the Ladybits Health and Wellness Foundation which is determined to help build the “Quintessential Woman‚ in our contemporary Ghanaian society. The organisation reaches out to all women found in various endeavours especially the rural and less deprived areas where we educate them on breast cancer with effective screening and diagnosis of the disease.
Our aim is to empower women especially in deprived areas to be in charge of their health and take precautionary measures where necessary. In the end, I reiterate that Breast Cancer is very treatable especially when detected early.
Some aspects of the treatment of Breast Cancer is covered by NHIS. In addition, members of GNAT have access to free medical treatment of all cancer diseases including breast cancer.
Nevertheless, I look forward to a time where the government and for that matter NHIS will absorb the full treatment cost of Breast Cancer so that the screenings that we do in the rural areas will be more impactful and effective
By Dr. Victoria Partey-Newman
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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